Leading the field from the start was Luton Athletic club’s English half marathon Champion Kimpton and cross country International Deed of Bedford and County, with the prospect of an exciting dual.

In the event, once breaking the field they opted to maintain a good pace and cross the line together in 32m 44s. However a real race was developing behind with Luton’s junior athlete Luke King moving more than a minute clear of Lee Murphy of Dustable Road Runners, to give him a chance of winning the overall Series prize, which is based on the cumulative time over the three races. He achieved this by the narrowest of margins, four seconds.

Unattached runner Craig Wilson took third in the Series, with another unattached runner, David Cooney, the first veteran.

Ampthill and Flitwick Flyer athletes were out in force as they were holding their own 10K Championships and three of their runners took the main ladies’ prizes with another win for Michelle Morris in 44m dead from team-mates Jessica Anstee and Theresa Jackson.

Katie Gibbons of Dunstable took the veterans’ prize and also the overall Series prize from team-mate Christina Lawrence. Julie Simmons of Fairlands Valley Sparta was third, with Teresa Warren, also of Dunstable, taking the Veteran’s award.

The County Ladies’ winners were Morris, Jackson and Gibbons. The age group winners were Helen McFarland (Harpenden Arrows) V40, Carolyn O’Connor V45 and Keri Withers V50 (Ampthill), Simmons V55 and Elaine McCulloch (Bedford Harriers) V65. Full results can be found on www. Lutonac.co.uk.